The Gilmer Bobcats have gone from being a punchline to a disciplined, hard-hitting football team.
GHS entered the season with 30 consecutive losses in tow. At the conclusion of last Friday’s game against the LaFayette Ramblers, the Bobcats — with only 32 players dressed out —claimed their fourth victory of the season.
Gilmer found itself tied with LHS at the half, and the Cats soon fell behind. However, GHS added two touchdowns in the second half and held off the Ramblers for a 28-23 victory.
Head coach Kevin Saunders heaped praise on the Bobcats following the game.
“Our kids stepped up,” he said. “We had kids hurt and banged up, and they came out to play and showed a lot of guts. I couldn’t be more proud of them. We’re tough and had kids make plays. Different players stepped up all year.
“I just couldn’t be more proud of them, and I don’t know what else to say about how tough they were and how disciplined they were and how physical they were. They played their tail off.”
Freshman Will Kiker got the start at quarterback after starter Spenser Smith and backup Seth Darling were injured in the previous two games. The freshman signal caller did not have any issues with snaps or his footwork as he distributed the ball to Gilmer’s running backs.
“To win a game with a freshman quarterback who didn’t even attempt a pass, he didn’t fumble the ball, he was incredible,” Saunders said. “We didn’t even have the threat to throw, but we had that one trick play.”
The Bobcats jumped ahead early and scored with ease. After receiving a punt on LaFayette’s first possession, GHS went to work at its 48.
Gilmer needed just four plays. Ashton White rushed for 4 yards and Gray McClure added 18 more before Kobe Stonecipher broke loose for a 30-yard touchdown run.
Adolfo Bautista converted his first of four extra point attempts, and Gilmer led 7-0 less that two minutes into the game.
The teams swapped punts and LaFayette’s third drive resulted in points. The Ramblers were in shotgun most of the night. Quarterback Jaylon Ramsey and running back Jamario Clements did most of the damage as they traded carries all game.
When they were not running up the middle and off tackle, Mason Alexander was there for jet sweeps to attack the edge.
Their touchdown drive covered 68 yards on 12 plays, and Ramsey scored from 10 yards out.
GHS punted for the second and final time of the half. When LaFayette took over, Bobcat linebacker Donnie Ledford was there to force and recover a fumble. It marked his first of two forced fumbles on the night to go with eight total tackles and a pass break-up.
“Donnie played that whole game tonight with a hurt hip because we didn’t have anybody else to put in, and he played the last two games like you wouldn’t believe,” Saunders said.
GHS took over at LaFayette’s 41 after the recovery but the drive stalled 18 yards later.
However, Ledford was there again on the Ramblers’ next possession. After LHS gained three first downs and crossed midfield, Ledford knocked the ball loose. Cornerback Kanaan Walker recovered and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown.
Down 14-7 with 1:47 to play in the half, LaFayette received a final opportunity to score and did just that. Four rushes progressed LHS to Gilmer’s 34 before Ramsey completed a 22-yard pass.
With time ticking away, Ramsey rushed for 7 yards to the five. He completed a touchdown pass on the next play as White bore down from his linebacker position.
The eight-play, 58-yard drive tied the game 14-14 with 5.8 seconds before the half.
GHS punted to start the third quarter, and the Ramblers set up their offense at Gilmer’s 45. Eight consecutive rushes advanced LaFayette to the 12 where they settled for a 29-yard field goal seven minutes into the third quarter.
GHS responded with touchdowns on its next two possessions.
The first was a lightning-quick strike. On the drive’s first play, McClure ran through the right side of the line and all the way to the end zone for a 68-yard touchdown.
GHS led 21-14 and forced LHS to punt when it took over offensively.
Gilmer’s next drive covered 60 yards. After a 6-yard pickup by Andrew Gooch, McClure rushed twice to give GHS a first down at the 50.
The next play was Gilmer’s only pass of the night. After Kiker rolled to his left, he tossed the ball to receiver Braden Jenkins as they crossed paths in the backfield. Jenkins found Stonecipher for a 40-yard completion.
Stonecipher scored four plays later from 2 yards out to cap the eight-play possession, and Gilmer extended its lead to 28-17 with 10:50 to play.
A penalty accompanied the Ramblers’ ensuing kick return, and they were in prime field position at Gilmer’s 38. Ten straight rushes resulted in a 4-yard Clements’ touchdown.
Bobcat Cameron Weaver stopped the Ramblers’ conversion attempt deep in the backfield, and the Cats led 28-23 with 5:56 on the clock.
After a punt, LaFayette’s last drive began at its 41. Ramsey was injured on the previous possession, and Chase Keith took over at quarterback. After three incompletions, LHS was stopped 4 yards shy of a first down.
GHS milked the final 2:13 off the clock for a victory.
Aside from Ledford, Gilmer’s defensive stalwarts included Weaver (18 total tackles), White (15), McClure (13) and safety Owen Fischer had 10.
Saunders discussed the season, saying, “We played some tough, really good football. We have a great coaching staff and had players prepared. They played hard, we don’t turn the ball over, we don’t make many stupid penalties, we play really physical and the kids make big plays at times. They’ve worked hard and done a really good job.”
Saunders also had praise for Gilmer’s seniors.
“They started with 25 seniors (as freshmen in 2016) and graduated with five,” he said. “Those seniors have been through a lot and should be admired for what they’ve done and for sticking with this football program.
“When I came in, I was really hard on them, and they did a great job of believing ... Dylan Ellington, Andrew Gooch, Jace McClure, Luke Morgan and Donnie Ledford ... I’m so proud of them. I’m just really proud of what these kids have accomplished. I don’t think anyone expected us to win four games.”
GHS posted a 4-6 record, which equaled its most wins in a season since 2015.